Wilson County Mayor Randall Hutto won the Grill Off at this year's Taste of Wilson County, an annual fundraiser that this year helped the Wilson County Business and Education Coalition award 43 teacher grants totaling $20,926.

Organizers said the event brings together local businesses, educators and residents to raise money for teacher grants and education programs across Wilson County. The coalition is a division of the Lebanon Wilson County Chamber of Commerce; sponsor 615 Outdoor Living donated the grill awarded to the winner.

"Jackson and Megan, my daughter and son-in-law, they kinda helped me put on this nice smash burger that we had," Hutto said, describing the winning entry and adding that he'd given a previously won grill to family members. He said the donated grills are "worth $1,000 or better," and that the chamber and community partnerships channel proceeds to classroom projects.

Organizers announced last week that the coalition awarded 43 grants totaling $20,926 to support teacher-led projects and enrichment in classrooms across the county. An attendee at the event said teachers "really get excited when they win the grants because they get to do a little bit more for their students in the classroom."

615 Outdoor Living has supported the Taste of Wilson County for multiple years and donated the prize grill that goes to the Grill Off winner. Event organizers said the grants were awarded last week and that funds are intended to support yearlong classroom activities and projects.